Almost half of EU states expected to breach quota

Published 30 March 15

Twelve of the 28 EU states are expected to breach quota in 2014/15 with some receiving record superlevy bills, according to an AGRA FACTS report. Germany, Poland and Netherlands are predicted to receive superlevy fines of €300m, €160m and €140m respectively. Ireland, Austria and Denmark also have notable projected fines while Lithuania, Estonia, Italy, Belgium, Spain and Cyprus are likewise expected to over produce.

State

Projected fine (€m)

Germany

300

Poland

160

Netherlands

140

Ireland

75

Austria

44.5

Denmark

27

Total EU

750

However, superlevy fines for the final year of quota may not impact farmers as much as previous years. This is due to a recent European Commission decision to introduce staggered payments to ease cash flow pressures, should a state choose to take this approach.